Maternal personality traits and risk of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction

L. Chatzi, K. Koutra, M. Vassilaki, A. Vardiampasis, V. Georgiou, A. Koutis, C. Lionis, P. Bitsios, M. Kogevinas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background/Aims: Maternal personality may increase vulnerability to stress, which could lead to an unfavourable intrauterine environment to the fetus. We sought to investigate the impact of maternal personality traits on adverse birth outcomes such as preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction in the mother-child cohort study (RHEA Study) in Crete, Greece 2007-2009. Methods: Five hundred and eighty pregnant women participating in " Rhea" cohort study completed the Eysenck Personality Questionnaire-Revised (EPQ-R) at 28-32 weeks of gestation. Information on anthropometric measures at birth was obtained from the hospital delivery logs and medical records. Fetal growth restriction was based on a customized model, and multivariate logistic regression models were used adjusting for confounders. Results: A per unit increase in the EPQ Neuroticism scale increased the risk for fetal weight growth restriction by 9% [Odds Ratio (OR). =. 1.09, 95 percent CI: 1.01, 1.19)], and for fetal head circumference growth restriction by 6% [OR. =. 1.06, 95 percent CI: 1.01, 1.18] after adjusting for maternal age, education, origin, marital status, working status, pre-pregnancy BMI, delivery type, parity, smoking, and alcohol intake during pregnancy. Conclusions: Maternal neuroticism, which predisposes to negative mood, may be a risk factor for fetal growth restriction.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)213-218
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Psychiatry
Volume28
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2013

Keywords

  • CI
  • EPQ
  • Fetal growth restriction
  • OR
  • Personality
  • Preterm birth

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Psychiatry and Mental health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Maternal personality traits and risk of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this